Man Shows Up with ‘Copies of Quran’–Made ‘Terroristic Threats’ at Texas Surgery Center and Courthouse [UPDATE]

Was this another terror attempt or just a really angry man? Details are scarce at the moment, but with Orlando still fresh in our minds and 10,000 ongoing investigations into terrorist activity, it’s no surprise this man is in jail.

Denton police told NBC 5 a suspicious person call was received after a man arrived at the Texas Health Surgery Center Denton on the 200 block of North Bonnie Brae Street at about 8 a.m. and made threats.

The man, identified by police as 28-year-old Peshwaz Azad Waise, of Iraq, then left the surgery center and went to the county courthouse, where he went through security and into a courtroom. In the courtroom Waise approached a judge and tried to give him a copy of the Quran — the central religious text of Islam.

While Waise talked with a sheriff’s deputy, a warrant for his arrest was secured for the statements made at the surgery center. Waise was taken into custody and transferred to the Denton County Jail on a charge of terroristic threat. Police have not said specifically what it was Waise said at the surgery center or what he said in the courthouse, but that information is expected to be released.

On his Facebook page, Peshwaz Azad Waise writes that he attended Chantilly High School in Chantilly, Va., and graduated from George Mason University in 2010. He lists Washington, D.C., as his current residence. In a brief video on YouTube, he says he supports renewable energy.

Updated 1:35 p.m.

The Denton Police Department issued this news release on the arrest of Peshwaz Azad Waise this morning.

The Denton Police Department is currently working a terroristic threat offense that occurred this morning. A lone male suspect has been arrested and taken to the Denton Police Department jail. The suspect’s vehicle remains at the scene at this time. Due to the nature of the threat, we are taking extra precautions prior to impounding his vehicle.

Denton police were responding to a call for service last night. While in transit to the location, responding officers were contacted by 28 year old Peshwaz Azad Waise. He was speaking irrationally and making comments about God and Allah. The officers continued on to the original call for service, as Peshwaz was not in violation of any law.

University of North Texas Police later responded to a disturbance at the IHOP restaurant on the southeast side of their campus. Upon arrival, they spoke with Peshwaz who was still speaking irrationally. He was issued a notice of trespass and instructed to leave UNT property.

Sometime later, Peshwaz showed up at the Center for Women at 207 N. Bonnie Brae. He went inside and began insisting they take the Koran from him. He told them to give the Koran to the chaplin or chapel “or die.” He left prior to law enforcement arriving.

Peshwaz later arrived at the Denton County Court House at 1415 E. McKinney. He went inside and was stopped at the security checkpoint. He told security officers he was “the King.”

Sheriff’s Office deputies were summoned and they escorted him outside the building. While being detained, Peshwaz became agitated and said, “I’m imposing the death penalty (on the officers who were dealing with him.)” He later told them, “Anybody who touches me is going to bleed.”